UT got emailed and requested Charlies xrays so they could go over them, they called me yesterday and suggest that while Charlie may have liver issues they are not sure that it is a shunt. they have suggested that he have a Nuclear Scintigraphy, they said that it best determines if there is shunting in the liver rather than an ultrasound, they said that sometimes an ultrasound can find a shunt but the tech/Dr doing it
must be very experienced and have expertise in diagnosing shunts via ultrasound because it is not a clear cut way to know if it is present. They said not to be afraid to ask how many times the tech/Dr doing the test has successfully diagnosed a shunt via ultrasound and to make sure it is one done with doppler
They did give me several things to make sure and ask when I go to the specialist things like if a shunt is found, what kind of shunting device do they use. it should be an ameroid constrictor they said it is better because it closes slowly over a few weeks rather than cutting it off all at once.
I need to ask if they will set me up with a nutritionist to set up a specific diet plan for Charlie since he only eats home made foods.
They suggested that I have the bile acid test redone since Charlies bile acids were not way out of range. It could have been a result of other things they saw after going over his records. for example many of the labs that should normally be LOW for patients with shunts for Charlie were completely normal or one point above.
So I have my list of questions, I am having to find a location to do the nuclear scan it is not done everywhere so I am in contact with the vet on that. and now we wait until the 23rd for our visit. UT asked me to let them know what happens after my visit.
Charlie is doing fine he went to the groomers the other day so now he looks very handsome and not so much like a hobo
Your prayers are working
thank you so much!!